A more comprehensive version of this article including other diversity issues is available here
The Yorkshire accent: A business hindrance or a help?
Over the last few weeks I’ve been considering the age-old question of ‘Ye’ or ‘Nay’ when it comes to speaking in your mother tongue.
Being ‘born and bred’ in Churwell and educated at Batley Grammar School, I’ve always had a strong Leeds accent with the odd Irish slang finding its way into conversation too due to my background. My accent has never really been an issue before. While studying at Bradford two years ago and being subjected to the usual ‘North vs. South’ banter that comes with being a fresher, I was proud of my accent; of being a ‘down-to-earth’ Northerner as opposed to a ‘soft’ Southerner. But since moving to Harrogate three years and beginning my venture into the world of business, my thoughts on the broad Yorkshire accent have definitely started to sour.
My accent has been a constant source of attention since working at the Pitcher and Piano in Harrogate and I’ve even been given the nickname ‘Morley’. My accent just stands out like a sore thumb in contrast to the received pronunciation of Harrogate (how can 13 miles make so much difference!). I never thought I spoke particularly broadly, but the way I speak is often mimicked, such as the way I say ‘Nooo’ or the way that for some reason forget to use the word ‘the’ or reduce ‘to’ to just ‘t’. I am even greeted with phrases I never use, such as ‘Ey up’ and ‘By gum’!
Now don’t get me wrong, I laugh along with the jokes and I don’t get offended. I know that it’s all done in jest – the usual work banter that has helped me fit in with the rest of my colleges and makes working in the bar more fun. Some of the customers even like my accent and it’s a talking point that has helped me make friends. However, I’ve recently started to listen to my voice through the ears of others, and it doesn’t sound good.
As wrong as it may seem, there are some accents that people associate with certain personalities and characteristics. A simple google search for ‘Matched-guise test’ will enlighten you on just how others perceived you based on your accent. Though the Yorkshire accent is thought to be more reliable and trustworthy, the poor use of grammar and missing out of certain words also can make speakers seem less intelligent then they really are. In contrast, those speaking in ‘Received Pronunciation’ may sound a little colder, but may be able to give the impression of sounding smarter than they really are on a first impression (maybe a Yorkshire/RP mix would result in a trusting but intelligent professional?).
Of course any impression can be changed over time no matter how you speak, but anyone studying or working in business knows how important a first impression is. It can make or break interviews, client meetings or winning an important pitch.
Those who think the way they speak has no effect on their careers are in denial. Prejudice based on accents may be wrong, but it does happen, as this guardian article proves with almost 50% of company directors seeing strong regional accents as a disadvantage in the business world. And they have a point. Some accents are hard for people to understand, and others are just plain hard to listen to.
To think that my accent won’t affect my career would be imprudent. From just my first year’s experience I’ve realised that the way people speak is incredibly important in PR. I’ve noticed many practitioners using ‘phone voices’ in order to sound a little more southern to appeal more to the wealth of media in London. I’ve also noticed heads turn in PR offices when I speak on the phone in my regional accent, and not in a good way – the more cringe worthy way. I can see that my accent makes me sound stupid, even when I’m making a good point and I can tell when whoever is on the other line is thinking the same thing.
So now I’m trying hard to copy the accent I hear in Harrogate, both for career and personal reasons, although it’s easier said then done as the Yorkshire accent is a tough one to shake off! For those who don’t know just how strong a West Yorkshire accent is, check out this YouTube video of a little girl with an incredibly broad accent, though judging by the comments some people do find this accent very appealing.
Out of interest I decided to use my Twitter and Facebook account to see how others found the Yorkshire accent and if it had any place in business. Results were mixed. Some said it wasn’t about how you say things but about what you say. Another user more comically thought that the Yorkshire accent was fine, as long as it was confined to the farming business. I rest my case.
You bring up an interesting debate, I too have discussed this with various people, some who have northern accents and some that have the southern accents.
If we’re honest most of us at some point are guilty of taking ‘the michael’ out of accents.
An accent that sounds relaxed and rather broad does stand out especially on first impressions.
Could an accent over power dialogue to the point that the words are coming out but thats about it! How annoying if you’re that oblivious person that has to repeat everything you just said as your accent took over.
In social situations people tend to make passing comments i.e put brew on, tut pub etc. that’s all it is to them along with an invaluable priceless giggle. It’s funny how people tend to accept it and allow people to take advantage. Anyway it’s easy to forget how people with these accents really feel, has the joke gone too far? to the point that a stereotype has been formed along with the connotations, according to your article it seems it has and it’s not fair. This is not a joke it’s serious, employers maybe missing out and people are not having a fair chance, an equal opportunity.
You speak well and pronounce your words, you have an accent and good pronounciation; accents and pronounciations are two different things. You have never come across as a relaxed, lazy talker, your voice is direct and doesn’t make you sound stupid.
Is this some form of discrimination? If we could all use some kind of voice over not quite in the style of Darth Vader but something easy to understand and not comical would we find that figures change?
I would hate to think that your accent could hinder you in the future, I feel you have great attributes and alot to give. It would be sad if that ‘were’ the case!!!!
You’ve definitely raised an important point there; employers could be missing out on recruiting some talented individuals just because of there own bias to certain accents.
It is an issue that should be corrected, but the chances of this happening are slim. Instead it seems that those of us with regional accents will have to taken it upon ourselves to change the way we speak to maximise our career potential. And as unjust as it sounds, it is something that those with regional accents from areas that are less desired will probably need to consider if they want to advance in business.
Take for example, Roger Ramsden. Once marketing chief at RBS, now CEO at Saga services. Roger is originally from Yorkshire and once also spoke with the regional accent. However he knew that in the business environment this accent may have hindered his career so taught himself to speak without any real accent at all.
Judging by his current position, a lot can be said for the simple act of trying to change your voice.
Good discussion – and well written in standard English too.
I think Yorkshire’s an attitude, not an accent, and I also think that Harrogate’s rather odd (in that many people living there aren’t from the area – like me).
I also suggest you go and meet Professor Anne Gregory: she’s gone a long way, but has remained true to her (pronounced) West Yorkshire roots.
I too am a Harrogate resident that wasn’t born in the area so it sounds like it’s quite a common phenomena.
I think your right about Yorkshire being an attitude and from my experience it’s an attitude that’s passionate about it’s heritage very opposed to change. I’ve been met with criticism at trying to change my accent and been told that I should never change who I am.
However I don’t feel like it’s changing who I am as a person, just how I sound to others. I don’t plan on abandoning where I came from, just not making it very obvious from the minute I open my mouth!
Thanks for commenting! I’ll definitely be on the look out for Professor Ann Gregory!
Your discussion of accents touches on the wider question of diversity in public relations.
Should everyone have the same accent? Should they all fit the white-middle class-female stereotype.
Lee Edwards is perhaps the most prominent academic researching questions of diversity in PR.
I’d very much welcome an article on this topic for Behind the Spin: by all means base it on this blog post, but be willing to ask Anne Gregory, Lee Edwards and a selection of practitioners for their views too.
That sound like a great idea. I’ll ask the people you mentioned in your reply and build up an article for Behind the Spin.
Glad to find that the topic that’s been on my mind for so long would also be interesting to a wider audience!